'John Williams: Music For Films, Television and the Concert Stage' (book by Emilio Audissino)

[D_nev 89]

Hello everyone.

 

I’m cutterntly reading JOHN WILLIAMS: Music For Films, Television and the Concert Stage and was wondering if anyone on here has read it/is reading it?

 

If so, what are your thoughts on the book? 

 

Here’s a link for reference: https://m.barnesandnoble.com/w/john-williams-emilio-audissino/1128561853?ean=9782503580340&st=PLA&sid=BNB_New+Core+Shopping+Books&sourceId=PLAGoNA&dpid=tdtve346c&2sid=Google_m&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIyvDEnPnP3wIVBY1pCh09QwhrEAQYASABEgJwavD_BwE

[Miguel Andrade 1,262]

I really enjoyed the book. Some of the articles are a bit technical for me, but overall a wonderful enlightening read, even for the more knowledgeable Williams admirer.

I greatly encourage anyone seriously interested in Williams music to try to read this one.

[Naïve Old Fart 9,504]

I've just clicked the link. $138????!!!! No book is worth that; I don't care what the subject matter is.

[Incanus 5,713]

Yeah that is a tad too much even for a John Williams related monograph. I would love to read it though.

[That_Bloke 115]

1 hour ago, Richard said:

I've just clicked the link. $138????!!!! No book is worth that; I don't care what the subject matter is.

 

It's an academic text, not a coffee-table book for general public consumption. It's common for academic texts to be that price, because of the smaller market, and it's also the hardback edition. But I can understand the concern. I suppose if it wasn't an academic text it would be filled with simple-level stuff we already know or can get online for free.

 

I'm going to wait and see if a cheaper softcover edition comes out. 

[D_nev 89]

9 hours ago, Miguel Andrade said:

I really enjoyed the book. Some of the articles are a bit technical for me, but overall a wonderful enlightening read, even for the more knowledgeable Williams admirer.

I greatly encourage anyone seriously interested in Williams music to try to read this one.

Excellent analysis, I am finding it enlightening and very educational as well! I’m glad to see other people are enjoying it too. 

 

I quite enjoy the analysis sections where they break down some of his scores and look at how he develops a theme. It’s so fascinating to me how he does that and it’s nice to see such a concise analysis of that phenomenon. 

8 hours ago, Richard said:

I've just clicked the link. $138????!!!! No book is worth that; I don't care what the subject matter is.

 

6 hours ago, That_Bloke said:

 

It's an academic text, not a coffee-table book for general public consumption. It's common for academic texts to be that price, because of the smaller market . . .

It is unfortunate about the price, I agree. @That_Bloke makes a good point though, it’s geared more towards a more acedemic approach, though I’d still consider it accessible to everyone who is interested in learning more about Willaims’s work, even if some of the more theoretical articles are a bit harder to understand! 

 

I am a music student though so I figured it was a well enough purchase to make, considering. 

 

It is is a great read though, so I definitely consider waiting until a soft cover is released or finding a cheap used one. 

 

Hell, I’d even be willing to let you borrow my copy if you’re really interested! 

[Miguel Andrade 1,262]

Wasn't there a eBook release of this? For some reason I think someone mentioned it... might be confusing with something else though.

[D_nev 89]

12 minutes ago, Miguel Andrade said:

Wasn't there a eBook release of this? For some reason I think someone mentioned it... might be confusing with something else though.

I haven’t been able to find one, but that doesn’t mean that there isn’t one! 

[lairdo 726]

Thanks for posting about this. I read the editor's earlier book on Williams which I really liked (and is available on Kindle which I also really liked!). I have just ordered this book and look forward to diving in.

 

 

[#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 10,265]

3 hours ago, D_nev said:

it’s geared more towards a more ace demon approach, 

 

 

[D_nev 89]

51 minutes ago, Stefancos said:

 

 

Gotta love auto correct 😂 that’s too funny 😂

54 minutes ago, lairdo said:

Thanks for posting about this. I read the editor's earlier book on Williams which I really liked (and is available on Kindle which I also really liked!). I have just ordered this book and look forward to diving in.

 

 

You’re certainly welcome!

 

When you get it and read through it, please respond to this thread again and share your thoughts/favorite sections about/in the book! I’d love to chat further about it! 

 

[Jurassic Shark 12,030]

Interesting. Anybody else thinks the contrast between the cover photo and cover text could have been better? 

 

9 hours ago, Richard said:

I've just clicked the link. $138????!!!! No book is worth that; I don't care what the subject matter is.

 

I'd think there's easier ways to get rich.

[D_nev 89]

7 minutes ago, Jurassic Shark said:

Interesting. Anybody else thinks the contrast between the cover photo and cover text could have been better? 

In what way? 

 

I don’t notice a problem

[Jurassic Shark 12,030]

I would use a color for the text that stood more out from the background, but that's just nitpicking.

[D_nev 89]

2 minutes ago, Jurassic Shark said:

I would use a color for the text that stood more out from the background, but that's just nitpicking.

Now that you say that, I notice it. It’s not too bad, but you’re right, it could’ve been better! 

[Jurassic Shark 12,030]

They could have done more!

[rough cut 1,714]

The font is fine.

[Jurassic Shark 12,030]

I've got no problems with the font itself.

[rough cut 1,714]

You know what I mean!

[Jurassic Shark 12,030]

The font is fine!

 

On 1/3/2019 at 2:44 PM, Incanus said:

Yeah that is a tad too much even for a John Williams related monograph. I would love to read it though.

 

Then you should try the library of your local university.

[WilliamsStarShip2282 308]

Has anyone else read it or this one?

 

https://www.amazon.com/John-Williamss-Film-Music-Classical/dp/0299297349/

 

Could anyone tell me how deeply he gets into the concert music, and what pieces he selected? Thanks!

[Jurassic Shark 12,030]

The book is based on a thesis, which then was "de-thesised" for a more general audience. One consequence of this is that the book is very detailed, with lots of discussions and footnotes throughout the text. That's an aspect I personally like. However, the analysis is more in the vein of music as used in the film instead of purely musical analyses. I can't remember if there were any significant analyses of his concert music. I'm sure @eaudissino can provide more info, since he, after all, wrote the book!

 

If you want musical analysis, @Falstaft (hiatus til TROS)'s book Hollywood Harmony is the one to go for.

[filmmusic 1,823]

On 2/17/2020 at 12:53 AM, WilliamsStarShip2282 said:

Has anyone else read it or this one?

 

https://www.amazon.com/John-Williamss-Film-Music-Classical/dp/0299297349/

 

Could anyone tell me how deeply he gets into the concert music, and what pieces he selected? Thanks!

In the first book there is a whole chapter dedicated to the violin concerto with musical analysis of its themes, if this is something that interests you:

Tom Schneller, Out of Darkness: John Williams’s Violin Concerto

[WilliamsStarShip2282 308]

Thanks guys!